Charlton captain Kiera Skeels enters her fourth season with the club, with the centre-back having signed a new one-year contract in July.

The 22-year-old, who joined the club in the summer of 2021 following her departure from Reading, was an ever-present across all competitions last season, starting each of the Addicks’ 22 Women’s Championship fixtures and all three ties of the run to the Women’s FA Cup fifth round.

Her consistent performances at centre-back, through which she contributed to the Addicks having the best defensive record in the division, has made her one of the first names on Karen Hills’ teamsheet.

It has also seen her entrusted with the captain’s armband, which she will now wear on a full-time basis having shared leadership responsibilities with Kate Longhurst last season.

Reliable in her own box and possessing the determination and resilience required to be a leader, Skeels also possesses a threat in the opposition box, having scored a crucial equaliser in the 2-2 draw against Sheffield United in December which left the Addicks at the top of the division at the season’s halfway point.

The Reading academy graduate was also a regular for England at U23 level last season, adding 10 caps and three goals to her overall tally having debuted in 2022.